Dr Christian Tjiam PhD is Scientist-In-Charge of Immunopathology at PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA (Fiona Stanley Hospital), Honorary Research Associate in Vaccine Immunology at The Kids Research Institute Australia (formerly Telethon Kids Institute) and Adjunct Lecturer in Clinical Immunology at The University of Western Australia. Dr Tjiam’s appointments are uniquely positioned at the intersection of fundamental immunology research and the state clinical immunology service, providing a direct pathway of translating basic research into clinical care.
At The Kids Institute, Dr Tjiam established and leads a collaborative research program in vaccine immunology, where he integrates multiplexed serology, high parameter (antigen-specific) full spectrum flow cytometry and data science approaches to derive deep biological insights into vaccine-induced immunity. His methods and approaches have been utilised for national COVID-19 surveillance programs and in multi-centre clinical trials evaluating vaccine performance.
Dr Tjiam has also held leadership positions in the field of cytometry. He was previously facility manager for Curtin University Flow Core (2019-2021), the Chair of WA Cytometry special interest group (2020-2024) and led the implementation of full spectrum flow cytometry as a core research platform at The Kids Research Institute Australia in 2022.